Login prompt - what should I do next?

Support knowledgebase (cep_login)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: All versions

Symptom:

Welcome to SuSE Linux ?.? - Kernel ?.?.?? (tty1)

???????? login:
appears. What now ? (The question marks in the uppermost line represent version numbers, those in the line below a name (might be (none)).

Cause:

Linux is a modern multiuser system. An important part of the security concept is the distinction between different users. In order to achieve such a distinction, users must login to the system. By logging into the system, the user gets the right to access (only) his data. In order to ensure, that the user doesn't log on with a wrong user id (and destroys willingly or by chance somone elses data), a password is required.

There is one user with higher privileges. He has the right to change all system settings and administers the user accounts. This user is called root. His account is created automatically during the installation. Please ensure, that you don't forget the pasword assigned to root. No user except for the system administrator is allowed to logon as root. The usage of the root account should be limited to system administration tasks. Any other work in the system should be done under another account.

During the installation it is being offered to create a "sample user". His login name (short : "login") is then available after the installation.

Solution:

  1. After the line ???????? login: appears,

  2. the login name must be entered, followed Return. If no sample user was defined, there will only be the user root.

  3. After Password:

  4. enter your password, followed by Return.

  5. If root or the sample user didn't get a password during the installation, obviously no password must be entered.

  6. In this case simply press Return when Passwort: appears.
See also:
o Logging in as root remotely
o root cannot execute certain programs?
o Root and security, login in over the net
Keywords: LOGIN, INSTALLATION, ROOT, PROMPT, LOGINPROMPT
Categories: Knowhow
SDB-cep_login, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 03. Jul 1998
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 23. Apr 2002 by sdb (sdb_gen 1.40.0)